The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1887-02-17

"'It now appears that tho success of the
late stage coach robbery near the summit was
largely due to the pusillanimity-no to use
more serious word'"- He stopped and
looked explanatorily toward Clinch: "Ye'll
see in mint what I'm gettin' at by that pu-
sillanimity of the passengers themselves. 1T
now transpires that there were only three
robbers who attacked the COACH and that al
though passengers, driver and express mes
senger were fully armed and were double the
number of their assailants, not a shot was
fired. We mean no reflections upon the we'll
known courage of Yuba Bill nor the expert
ence and coolness of Bracy Tibbetts, the
courteous express messenger, both of whom
have since confessed to have been more than
astonished at the Christian and lamblike sub
mission Of the insiders. Amusing stories of
some laughable yet sIckening incidents of the
occasion-such as grown men kneeling in the
road and offering to strip themselves COM
pletely if their lives were only spared; of one
of the passengers hiding under the seat, and
only being dislodged by pulling his coat tails;
of incredible sums promised, and even offers
of menial service for the preservation of their
wretched carcasses-are received with the
: greatest gusto; but we are i'll possession of
facts which may lead to more serious accusa-
lions. Although one of the passengers is said
TO have lost large sum of money intrusted
to him, while attempting with barefaced
effrontery to establish rival carrying"
business in one of the express companys own
coaches'-I call that good point" He in-
Ill 4.
applause of his own party. "Don't you?"
"It's just Ill.," said Clinch, musingly.
"'Yet the affair." resumed the stranger,
from his manuscript, " lis locked up in great
and suspicious mystery. The presence of
jackson N. Stanner, esq., chats mel, special
detective agent to the company, and his staff
in town. is a guaranty that the mystery will
be thoroughly probed.' He'd to put that in
to please the company" he again deprecat-
ingly explained awe are indebted to this
gentleman for the facts"
"The pint you want to make in that article"
said Clinch, rising, but still directing his face
and his conversation to the fire, 'ez far ez
ken see, ez that no three men kin back down
six unless they be towards, or are willing to
be backed down."
"That's the point what l start from" re-
Joined Stanner, @and work up. leave it to
you eff it amt So"
II can't say ez I agree with you," said the
colonel dryly. He turned, and still without
lifting his eyes walked toward the door of
the room which Zenobia had entered. The
key was on the inside, but Clinch gently
opened the door, removed the key, and clos
ing the door again locked it from his side.
Hale and Rawlins felt their hearts beat
quickly; the others followed Clinch's slow
movements and downcast mien with amused
curiosity. After locking the other outlet
from the room and putting the keys in his
pocket, Clinch returned to the fire. For the
first time he lifted his eyes; the man nearest
him shrank back in terror.
II am the man." he said slowly. taking de-
liberate breath between his sentences "who
gave up those greenbacks to the robbers.
am one of the three passengers you have
lampooned in that paper, and these gentle
men beside me are the other two" He stop
ped and looked around him. "You don't be-
lieve that three men can back down ski
Wei, I'll show you how it can be done
Mole than that, III show you how one man
can do it; for, by the living God, if you
don't hand over that paper I'll kill you where
you sitl I'll give you until 1 count ten; if
one of you moves he and you are dead men
but you first"
Before he had finished speaking Hale and
Rawlins had both risen, as if in concert, with
their weapons drawn. Hale could not tell
how or why he had done so, but he was
equally conscious, without knowing why, of
fixing his eye on one of the other party, ana
! that he should, in the event of an affray, try
to kill him. He did not attempt to reason; !;
he olly knew that he should do his best tc
kill that man and perhaps others.
Zone, " said Clinch lifting his derringer,
'two-three'-
"Lool, here, colonel swear I didn't know
it was you. Come-d-n It'll 1 say-see
here" stammered Stanner, with white cheeks,
not daring to glance for aid to his stupefed
party.
"Four-fve--six"-
"Waitl Herer' He produced the paper
and threw it On the floor.
| "Pick it up and hand it to me. Seven
| eight
| Stanner hastily scrambled to his feet, picked
| up tho paper, and handed it to the colonel.
81 was only joking, colonel" he said, with a
| forced laugh.
'Tm glad to hear it, But as this joke is in
! black and white, you wouldn't mind saying
| SO in the same fashion Take that pen and
ink and write as 1 dictate. Il certify that